On Nov. 18, the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest stopped by the Austin High Multiplex, 231 N. Pine Ave., to perform Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto” and Brahm’s “Sympthony No. 1.” They were joined by a group of student leaders from the Austin Business & Entrepreneurship Academy High School.
The Kelly Family Orchestra, a family of six young musicians who study at the Chicago West Music Center in Garfield Park, accompanied the symphony during the night of music — which was free and open to the public. The event was sponsored by After School Matters, Austin Coming Together and Pyramid Players Productions.
On Nov. 22, community activist Roman Morrow and his family sponsored their annual Soul Food Pow Wow at St. Paul Lutheran, 846 N. Menard St., where attendees were treated to free food and entertainment.
It’s the ninth year his family has hosted the pre-Thanksgiving event, which he said grew out of a family feast held each year that would attract dozens of people.
“It started out of our home,” Morrow said. “We had around 60 some-odd people in our home. What led to this was a conversation my mother and I had about doing something positive and to try to get people in the holiday spirit. It’s all about being thankful for your family, friends and community.”
Diondai Brown-Whitfield contributed to this story.
